The Comedy Store guide

The Comedy Store in London (1a Oxendon St, SW1Y 4EE) is the capital’s top comedy club. It started out as a room above a strip club in 1979, but these days the Store is pretty much the most famous and respected brand in live comedy.

Back in the ’80s, the Comedy Store in London was fundamental in the growth of the alternative comedy scene. It was the antithesis of the ‘old school’ mainstream stand-ups on the telly and helped launch the careers of fresher-faced future stars, including Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmonson, Alexei Sayle and French and Saunders.

How to get to the Comedy Store

To get to the Comedy Store take the Bakerloo line or the Piccadilly line to Piccadilly Circus tube station. Walk east out of the station onto Coventry Street. Take a right onto Oxendon Street and you'll see The Comedy Store located on the right hand side. The Comedy Store's full address is: 1a Oxendon St, SW1Y 4EE.

Explore London's Comedy Store

Comedy

A tour of The Comedy Store

Never been to The Comedy Store? Firstly: shame on you. Secondly: why not get a feel of the venue by watching Jarred Christmas's video tour? Go backstage, see the view from the microphone and watch out for a picture of a young, freshly ear-ringed Steve Coogan.

The Comedy Store in pictures

Every comic wants to play The Comedy Store and since it opened in 1979, practically every household name in stand-up has passed through its doors. Here are some of the famous faces and club regulars who have played the iconic venue over the years.

Regular shows at The Comedy Store

The Comedy Store is a no-nonsense club. On Tuesdays it's topical comedy, improv on Wednesdays and Sundays, and the weekends are for top-notch straight stand-up. No messing about. See below for more information about each of The Comedy Store's regular shows, including infamous monthly open-mic night King Gong.

An interview with Don Ward

There is one man every aspiring comedian aims to impress: Don Ward, the legendary owner, founder and producer of The Comedy Store. In a rare video interview, Ward speaks to Time Out about what audiences can expect at the iconic venue, reflects on some of his favourite acts from the club’s history and reveals who he would still like to make an appearance.